Council Vacancies Filled During Meeting

By PATSY STODDARDStaff, Emery County Progress

The Emery County Commissioners met in their regularly scheduled meeting on Feb. 19. Those present were Commissioners Ira Hatch, Randy Johnson and Drew Sitterud. County Attorney Dave Blackwell and Sheriff Lamar Guymon were also present.

Sheriff Lamar Guymon offered the opening prayer and led those present in the pledge of allegiance. The first item on the agenda was the approval of the check edit list. Commissioner Johnson had a question on the senior citizen expenses. Clerk Bruce Funk explained an add-on expense of heater repair in the ambulance garage in Castle Dale.

The purchase of a computer for Deputy Martin Wilson from the safe communities grant was approved. The next item on the agenda was the filling of the four vacancies on the Emery County Public Lands Council. Those with terms expiring were Tom Roush, Craig Johansen, Bevan Wilson and Perry Bunderson. These positions were filled with Tom Roush, Vernell Rowley, Craig Johansen and Kirk Johansen.

The next item on the agenda was the approval of a business license for Troy Atwood at the Huntington Airport for airport operations and to sell fuel. Commissioner Hatch reported there have been several planes in and out of the airport lately and he also has a meeting with Atwood to discuss things.

The next item on the agenda was the consideration and approval of the Standard Cooperative Agreement for Utah State University Extension Educational work. Attorney Blackwell explained this agreement helps them receive their grant money. Commissioner Hatch expressed the wish that they be more upfront and perhaps invite the commissioners to one of their meetings. Up to this point the commissioners hadn't been involved.

The next item on the agenda was the consideration and approval of the Interlocal Agreement with Emery County Special Service District #1 for street lighting services. Commissioner Hatch pointed out that this agreement allows the district to pay for street lights for the lighting of public roads. This helps take the burden off of the county. The motion was made by Commissioner Sitterud and seconded by Commissioner Hatch.

The next item on the agenda was the formal request for installation of street lights on Miller Creek Road. Commissioner Sitterud explained that he had received a phone call concerning this bus stop. There are five houses there along the road and the bus stop is too dark. A formal request from the county to Utah Power for installation of the light is needed. Commissioner Hatch pointed out that this new light is along a stretch of road which will be rebuilt at a later time. The item was approved.

The next item on the agenda was the acceptance/certification of Four Corner's Community Mental Health audit review. It was determined that it would be approved subject to review by Brenda Dugmore of the Clerk's office.

The next item on the agenda was the consideration and approval of the Ute Indian Tribe's request to use the county's parcel layer platting program. A motion was made to table the item until more information could be obtained to clarify how they wished to use the program.

The next item on the agenda was the consideration and approval of the contract with the state for purchase of surplus property. Commissioner Hatch explained when surplus state property comes up for sale it is sold on a priority basis with the federal government, other state agencies, county and then city governments having a chance to purchase it in that order.

The next item on the agenda was the discussion of participation in the Emery County Progress Energy Edition. It was determined they would support the newspaper and the energy industry by purchasing a one-fourth page ad in the supplement.

Under the category of citizen concerns nothing was brought up due to the absence of citizens at the meeting. It was determined that the minutes for the previous meeting be tabled until the commissioners have a chance to review them.

The next item on the agenda was the commissioner reports. Commissioner Hatch stated that he had attended the Utah Association of Counties meeting on Friday in Provo. They brought the attendees up to date on legislative items. Senate Bill 82 and HB 241 were discussed. HB241 deals with health departments. He stated that there is opposition to this bill by county health officers from around the state. Another bill dealing with bid limits on construction projects for public works improvements was not a popular bill either. A bill dealing with public safety involving one operating system statewide which Sheriff Guymon described as being good for the Wasatch Front where they have more frequencies but not good for our area. It would require every radio to be replaced and would be very expensive.

Commissioner Hatch also mentioned a bill regarding jail reimbursements where they are trying to get something through where a judge can sentence a prisoner to the jail of his choice.

Commissioner Sitterud said he had received a call from the nursing home informing him that Utah is the seventh lowest state in paying for senior citizens. They had expressed their desire that this be brought before the legislators to see what can be done.

Commissioner Johnson said an informational lunch meeting will be held on Feb. 25 with elected officials and department heads to bring them up to speed on the monument. It was mentioned that many of them have questions concerning the monument and this will help educate them to what is taking place. It will be presented by the public lands council.

The meeting was adjourned. The next commission meeting will be held on March 5 at 4 p.m.